Specification

Critic Reviews

Uncompromising when it comes to features

The Asus Zenwatch’s standout feature is not a feature unique to it — but it’s a feature many of the smartwatches out in the market today do not have just yet. This standout feature allows users to view their phone’s camera viewfinder right from their smartwatch, letti...More

The Asus Zenwatch’s standout feature is not a feature unique to it — but it’s a feature many of the smartwatches out in the market today do not have just yet. This standout feature allows users to view their phone’s camera viewfinder right from their smartwatch, letting them take photos from unique angles. This feature is a feature that’s arguably both necessary and unnecessary at the same time, yet it’s the same feature that makes the Zenwatch standout the most.

Tasteful design at the right price

If there’s one word I’d use to describe the ZenWatch, it’d be “imperfect.” The design is beautiful, but imperfect, because the band isn’t as comfortable as it should be. The software is good, but imperfect, due to the short fall of Asus’s bundled software and unreliable heart rate monitoring...

If there’s one word I’d use to describe the ZenWatch, it’d be “imperfect.” The design is beautiful, but imperfect, because the band isn’t as comfortable as it should be. The software is good, but imperfect, due to the short fall of Asus’s bundled software and unreliable heart rate monitoring.

Even at its $199 asking price, which is affordable for Android Wear, I can’t quite recommend Asus’s first attempt at a smartwatch. Its better qualities just aren’t enough to redeem it. I went in with an open mind, but my experience throughout the testing period has been one of yearning to swap the ZenWatch for my Moto 360. That, I think, says plenty.

Design over the functionality

For $200, I can’t expect this watch to be perfect and it’s obviously not. But that doesn’t mean it is a bad smartwatch. If you’re looking for a budget smartwatch that won’t break the bank, you have an Android device and you prefer the design over the functionality; t...More

For $200, I can’t expect this watch to be perfect and it’s obviously not. But that doesn’t mean it is a bad smartwatch. If you’re looking for a budget smartwatch that won’t break the bank, you have an Android device and you prefer the design over the functionality; then I think the ASUS ZenWatch is the one to beat. It’s very customizable, you can swap out the straps and you can customize the watch face with the free ZenWatch Manager app. If you plan using this watch to send a ton of voice messages or significantly reduce the amount of time you pull your phone out of your pocket, then this probably won’t be the best option for you.

It does the job but could be so much better

The Asus ZenWatch isn’t the most impressive smartwatch we’ve ever used, but it’s not the worst either. It’s a very good-looking, stylish smartwatch – something that’s a rarity in the smartwatch industry. The lack of buttons is definitely an issue, especially wi...More

The Asus ZenWatch isn’t the most impressive smartwatch we’ve ever used, but it’s not the worst either. It’s a very good-looking, stylish smartwatch – something that’s a rarity in the smartwatch industry. The lack of buttons is definitely an issue, especially with the touchscreen input being as frustrating as it currently is. It does however boast a decent battery life and enough sensors for you to shake a stick at. Ultimately though, when you put this up against similarly priced smartwatches like the Moto 360, it can’t compete. The Moto 360 has a button disguised as a crown which is used to turn the display on and off, as well an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts screen brightness dependent on your lighting conditions. Ambient light sensors are a feature that smartwatches need, but very few have. It also has an optical heart rate monitor that periodically checks your pulse in the background without being prompted to, and without a need to physically interact with the watch. With an almost identical RRP, we’d rather go for the Moto 360.

Sophisticated leather strap, excellent voice recognition, well priced

Of course, with its leather strap, you could argue that the ZenWatch was never meant to be used as a fitness device, and if you’re okay with that, it just might be the smartwatch for you. But there are still a few too many caveats to make a ringing endorsement for everyone to buy it.More

Of course, with its leather strap, you could argue that the ZenWatch was never meant to be used as a fitness device, and if you’re okay with that, it just might be the smartwatch for you. But there are still a few too many caveats to make a ringing endorsement for everyone to buy it.

The Asus ZenWatch is handsome enough, but it fails to stand out from the crowd of Android Wear devices. Google’s wearable operating system still feels like a solution in search of a problem: too many alerts just direct you to pull out your phone, so really, why bother? Unless you have a specific use in mind for its features, you might hold out for the second generation or the Apple Watch.

Easy on the eyes and wallet

If you want a nice-looking Android Wear smartwatch for around $199 (£199, about AU$252 ), the ZenWatch is another very solid option. There's nothing here that could be described as a killer selling point, and it doesn't quite stand up to the Sony Smartwatch 3 in terms of battery life or general ruggedness. Regardless, this timepiece is certainly in the top tier of rectangular Android Wear watches on the design front...

If you want a nice-looking Android Wear smartwatch for around $199 (£199, about AU$252 ), the ZenWatch is another very solid option. There's nothing here that could be described as a killer selling point, and it doesn't quite stand up to the Sony Smartwatch 3 in terms of battery life or general ruggedness. Regardless, this timepiece is certainly in the top tier of rectangular Android Wear watches on the design front.

If you're sold on Google's wearable OS, our best advice would be to find a shop where you can compare this in terms of look and feel against the Moto, LG and Sony watches, then buy the one that suits. For my money, though, a Pebble Steel, or maybe waiting to see how the Apple Watch shapes up, seems like better options right now. You can even try waiting on Asus with the hopes it will have a better successor, since we'll probably see ZenWatch 2 announced later this year.

Offers both an upscale design as well as high-end materials without the use of plastic

All things considered, the Asus ZenWatch (Wi500Q) is a pretty impressive smartwatch. We really appreciate the high-end materials like stainless steel and leather, which make the smartwatch look more respectable and less like a hightech gadget. We also like the additional features which allow the user to remotely trigger a smartphone camera or control a Powerpoint presentation running on a PC...

All things considered, the Asus ZenWatch (Wi500Q) is a pretty impressive smartwatch. We really appreciate the high-end materials like stainless steel and leather, which make the smartwatch look more respectable and less like a hightech gadget. We also like the additional features which allow the user to remotely trigger a smartphone camera or control a Powerpoint presentation running on a PC.

The IP certification certainly could be a more stringent one: as is, swimming is unfortunately out of the question. We'd also would like a brightness sensor and better display readability in direct sunlight. Asus should include additional sensors as well. Athletes can probably find watches which are better suited to their needs.

Despite the shortcomings, Asus' foray into the realm of smartwatches is a a successful one thanks to the upscale looks and the functionality offered by current version of Android Wear. At the time of our review, availability of the ZenWatch is unfortunately still limited.

The most stylish smartwatch currently available

Overall, though, we’ve yet to find a killer app that really makes an Android Wear smartwatch, and in this particular instance the ZenWatch, a must-have. In some ways Samsung has actually taken the right approach here by having a fairly bulky device that includes a load of extras, including...More

Overall, though, we’ve yet to find a killer app that really makes an Android Wear smartwatch, and in this particular instance the ZenWatch, a must-have. In some ways Samsung has actually taken the right approach here by having a fairly bulky device that includes a load of extras, including a headphone jack so the watch can be used for music playback independent of the phone, an IR blaster for changing TV channels (makes much more sense on a watch than a phone) and, yes, a button! Then again, it doesn’t run Android Wear so has its own issues.

Offers the best overall value of any current Android Wear smartwatch

I still think the G Watch R is the best Android Wear device, but it's $300. For $100 less, the Asus ZenWatch is a close second. Frankly, it's hard to recommend the GWR over the ZenWatch with that kind of price gap, especially as we get toward the end of this first-generation Wear product cycle. U...More

I still think the G Watch R is the best Android Wear device, but it's $300. For $100 less, the Asus ZenWatch is a close second. Frankly, it's hard to recommend the GWR over the ZenWatch with that kind of price gap, especially as we get toward the end of this first-generation Wear product cycle. Unless you must have a round screen, the ZenWatch offers the best overall value of any current Android Wear smartwatch.

Finally, a new contender for Android's best smartwatch

Until now, it's been pretty easy to pick out a "best" Android Wear smartwatch. The Moto 360 from the beginning ran away with that title, but the ASUS ZenWatch now threatens to take over that top spot. And, really, there's no reason why the two can't live in the same house. A good bit of that decision will just come down to personal taste. Maybe a truly round watch just looks better to you. We could (and will) make an argument that a round watch face provides a more immersive touch experience than a square one, particularly a square one that's inset as much as the ZenWatch's display is....

Until now, it's been pretty easy to pick out a "best" Android Wear smartwatch. The Moto 360 from the beginning ran away with that title, but the ASUS ZenWatch now threatens to take over that top spot. And, really, there's no reason why the two can't live in the same house. A good bit of that decision will just come down to personal taste. Maybe a truly round watch just looks better to you. We could (and will) make an argument that a round watch face provides a more immersive touch experience than a square one, particularly a square one that's inset as much as the ZenWatch's display is.

If that's the biggest complaint we have about the ZenWatch — and it pretty much is — ASUS has a clear winner on its hands. The watch body is an example of how tech doesn't have to look like tech. How a smartwatch can be more than just a display on your wrist. (Even if we do keep coming back to those bezels. What we wouldn't give to see a more edge-to-edge experience in this same form factor.) The leather strap is as stylish is it is functional, and while it might well attract second glances when worn with a suit, it won't be for the wrong reasons. It's also not the most expensive smartwatch of the bunch.

The overall experience might be just a touch lesser than what you get with the Moto 360. But at the same time we're completely confident in saying that you absolutely cannot go wrong with the ASUS ZenWatch.

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